Mike Norvell's one-year contract extension with FSU includes a raise
Brendan Sonnone
Florida State and coach Mike Norvell agreed to a one-year contract extension back on Dec. 14 of 2021, and the deal was verbally announced by FSU that day. That amendment to Norvell’s original contract was put in writing, and signed by Norvell as well as FSU president Richard McCullough and the university’s associate general counsel the following day on Dec. 15 according to a contract obtained by Noles247 via a records request.
The amendment to the contract reflected the extension of Norvell’s initial contract, which was signed in 2019 and was originally set for six years to run through the end of the 2025 season.
Per the amendment, Norvell is under contract with FSU through the 2026 season (specified as Dec. 31 OR the first day following a postseason game) and will make $6,785,000 in base salary during Year 7 of his contract. That’s an increase from his Year 6 base salary of $4,785,000 (with a retention bonus of $250,000).
Year 7 of Norvell’s contract begins on Jan. 1 of 2026.
"I am incredibly thankful to the board of trustees, President McCullough, David Coburn and Michael Alford for their support of our climb," Norvell said in a statement released through the university on Dec. 14. “Because of the investments they have continued to make in the personnel and infrastructure supporting our program, our current roster will continue to develop alongside the future Seminoles who will be joining us in the coming days. This is an exciting time to be part of the Florida State program, and there are great days ahead."
Termination language was not outlined in this amendment. The most recent update to termination language came in Amendment 3 after the 2020 season:
“University, and if applicable, the University in conjunction with the University Athletics Association, shall pay Employee for the period remaining in the Total Term, effective as of the date of termination (the "Termination Period"), (i) an amount equal to 85% of the Total Annual Compensation as referenced in Sections III.A and III.B, that would be due during the otherwise unexpired Total Term, and if the termination date occurs before December 31, 2023, (ii) an amount equal to 85% of the Premium Advance(s) that would have been made pursuant to Article IIA. of the Premium Loan Agreement if Employee’s employment had continued through the remaining Premium Loan Period(s) described therein (not to include any Contingent Premium Advance for such periods, and after subtracting any Pro-Rata Base Premium Advance required for the Premium Loan Period that included the termination date), less required deductions and applicable withholdings for federal, state, and local taxes (the "Termination Amount"). With respect to partial Contract Years and Premium Loan Periods, the amount owed to Employee shall be prorated on a daily basis.”
Norvell, per the amendment, would owe FSU money (liquid damages) on a sliding scale based on year if he were to leave the school on his own accord. $4,000,000 if he left in Year 3, $3,000,000 if he left in Year 4, $2,000,000 if he left in Year 5, $1,000,000 in Year 6, and $0 in Year 7.
FSU is 9-13 under Norvell. The coach took over after Willie Taggart was fired fewer than two full seasons into his tenure during the 2019 campaign. Norvell inherited a depleted roster that underwent a drastic overhaul the last couple of seasons.
Administration has voiced support publicly and privately in understanding the challenges this coaching staff faced amid taking over a program with Year 1 being during a pandemic that drastically restricted practice time as well as overall program development.
Norvell’s team went 3-6 during the pandemic season, then 5-7 in 2021 as the Seminoles started 0-4 – including a last-second defeat to FCS opponent Jacksonville State – but climbed back into bowl-game contention with a 5-2 finish to the year before a one-score loss to rival Florida in the regular-season finale.
Expectations are higher for FSU and Norvell entering Year 3. The roster is primarily composed of players Norvell recruited to FSU or developed in his image for the last couple of years, and there’s ample experience returning at most positions. The Seminoles are 1-0 in 2022 after beating Duquesne to open the season, and they are entering a primetime matchup against LSU on Sunday.
